Winter Automotive Maintenance Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to taking care of your vehicle in the winter, not much is different from the usual year-round recommended maintenance list. However, because winter weather can pose more hazardous conditions, you want to make sure your vehicle won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road. This is especially important for teen and elderly drivers.

Continue reading to learn how to prevent dangerous automotive malfunctions, breakdowns, and roadside emergencies this winter.

24 hour Tow Truck Assistance 317-247-8484
24 hour Tow Truck Assistance 317-247-8484

Proper Automotive Maintenance

There are some critical areas that stand out as major overlooks in terms of poor winter car maintenance. These mistakes will lead you on a path of breakdowns, poor performance, and costly repair bills. Although there are several things you can do on your own to care for your ride, there are some tasks that require the skill and equipment of a professional automotive technician.

Failing to have your vehicle serviced regularly, or at least on time per year, is the perfect recipe for disaster. It is one of the most common reasons why cars breakdown unexpectedly, and drivers face outrageous repair bills for something that started out as a small issues 9 months ago. Be sure to check your owners’ manual for your vehicle’s recommended factory maintenance schedule.

Common Mistakes That Can Lead to unsafe Roadside Emergencies:

⚠ Ignore Brake Problems

A little squeal here and there isn’t anything to worry about; right? Wrong. If this is what you have told yourself in the past, it’s time to learn the truth about car brake maintenance. Keep in mind that you are operating a 5 ton moving weapon, and without reliable and functional brakes, you have no control over it. Brakes are one of the most vital components of a vehicle in terms of safety; safety for yourself and for others. So if you neglect a problem with your brakes, it can turn into a costly, or worse, deadly error. As soon as you notice a change in your braking system, contact a licensed mechanic for an inspection.

⚠ Forget Antifreeze

They call it “anti-freeze” for a reason! Freezing temperatures can cause all the vital fluids in your vehicle to freeze, so using antifreeze in the radiator can prevent this from happening. In the wintertime, drivers often forget to add more antifreeze to the radiator, resulting in a car that won’t start. When it’s cold, your vehicle’s cooling system requires this important fluid in order to function properly.

⚠ Skip an Oil Change

It is important to keep your engine running smoothly at all times; but in the winter, your engine requires a bit more “TLC” than it would normally. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to get a wintertime oil change, to ensure your motor is performing optimally, and won’t surprise you with an unexpected breakdown 3 months from now.

⚠ Neglect Tires

Many drivers do not realize that tires lose pressure in the summer as a result of dry climate and hot weather. So by this time of year, most tires are in need of some attention. In addition to keeping your car tires properly inflated, you need to also ensure that your tires are properly aligned and balanced, and retain proper tread for adequate road traction. Factory scheduled maintenance covers this service, which should be implemented at least once per year, as mentioned.

How to Prepare for Roadside Emergencies

It is strongly recommended to keep a quality emergency roadside assistance kit in your car at all times in the case that your vehicle experiences some unexpected operational problems this winter. It is also encouraged to call for help in the case of a vehicular emergency, especially in inclement weather like snow, blizzards, and freezing temperatures. Professional towing companies offer reputable and affordable roadside assistance services 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Call them if you are ever stranded on the side of the road due to a vehicular malfunction.

Get 24 Hour Roadside Assistance in Indianapolis

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for affordable Indianapolis towing and roadside assistance services if your car breaks down unexpectedly. Our licensed and insured wrecker operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services throughout all of Central Indiana, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We also provide a wide range of municipal services, roadside wrecker and recovery services, and much more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

The 3 Worst Things You Can Do When Your Car is Overheating

An overheating car could be caused by a variety of reasons.  It could be a broken radiator, a kinked radiator hose, a faulty thermostat, and maybe even a lack of coolant.  There are many more reasons as well.  No matter what the cause, if you are ever in a similar situation, there are three major things you should never do when your car is overheating.

24 Hour Indianapolis Roadside Assistance
24 Hour Indianapolis Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

❶ Do Not Continue Driving

When you first notice that your vehicle is overheating, it is crucial to pull over and stop the car immediately.  An overheating car should never be driven.  This can be very dangerous.  Wait until your car is entirely cooled down before starting the engine again.

❷ Never Check the Radiator Fluid

Checking your fluid levels in your radiator when the car is overheating is simply asking for trouble.  It can be extremely dangerous.  There is a lot of pressure built up beneath the radiator cap.  Boiling hot fluids and steam can shoot out at high speeds, potentially burning and injuring anyone in its path.  Determine whether or not you are on an inline for accurate fluid readings.  If the car is not level, the fluids cannot be level.

❸ Never Use Cold Water on a Hot Engine

When a car’s engine has overheated, do not put cold water in the vehicle.  Not only can this damage the engine block and cause it to crack, it can lead to other severe auto damages and costly repairs.  Let a car cool down completely, as mentioned earlier, before tending to an overheated engine.

Here’s What To Do When Your Car Overheats:

➀ Pull Over Immediately
➁ Place Vehicle in Park
➂ Turn Off Engine
➃ Remove Keys from Ignition and Place in Pocket
➄ Walk Off a Busy Road
➅ Find a Safe Location to Wait for Help
➆ Contact 24 Hour Roadside Assistance

Get Indianapolis Roadside Assistance, ANYTIME

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for affordable Indianapolis towing and roadside assistance services in you can trust. Our licensed and insured wrecker operators provide punctual and prompt tow truck services throughout all of Central Indiana, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week! We also provide a wide range of municipal services, roadside wrecker and recovery services, and much more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

4 Ways to Get Better Gas Mileage Out of Your Car

The fuel prices today are simply depressing. Does it really cost almost four dollars for one tank of gas? For people who are on a tight budget, keeping a fuel tank full can be troubling. Worry not, because there are a few solutions to getting better gas mileage on a daily basis. Not only can this help you save money and gas, it can also benefit the environment at the same time!

Continue reading to learn these tips and tricks to getting better gas mileage, no matter what type of vehicle you drive.

Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance
Indianapolis Towing and Roadside Assistance 317-247-8484

❶ Tire Pressure

Surprisingly, the amount of pressure you have in your tires can influence the amount of gasoline consumption. This is because low tire pressure forces a car to exert more energy and work harder to get from one place to the next. This uses a lot of fuel.  Be sure to check your tires on a monthly basis, and do not let radial tires trick you. They can sometimes look completely inflated, but actually be low on pressure.

❷ Auto AC Usage

It is hard to not always blast your vehicle’s AC on a scorching hot summer’s day. Unfortunately, the frequent use of a car’s air conditioner uses a lot of fuel. Try to roll down windows and keep a cool drink in your cup holder. These are ways you can avoid using too much AC and wasting all your fuel. Also, try parking in shady areas to keep the car cool when not in use.

❸ Driving Habits and Patience

Quick stops and sudden starts is often referred to as jackrabbit driving. Aggressive and abrupt driving habits can not only use up a lot of fuel, it can potentially damage your vehicle. If this describes your style of driving, try to slow down in the future. Relaxed driving keeps your car at a comfortable status and reduces the amount times you have to fill up.

❹ Routine Car Maintenance

Having your car in optimal condition drastically improves the amount of miles it gets per gallon of gas.  This includes oil changes, tire rotations, brake services, engine cleanings, tune-ups, and much more.  Keeping your car in a condition that it can perform at its best reduces the amount of work the engine has to do to operate the vehicle. Factory scheduled maintenance is crucial for any vehicle you own. It has a huge influence on how long your vehicle will survive and how fast it uses its fuel.

24 Hour Roadside Assistance and Towing

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more.

Zore’s Inc. Offers Many Roadside Services Other Than Towing

Whether you need a flat tire fixed, your fuel filled up, or your truck pulled out of a ditch, our fleet of state-of-the-art trucks and team of skilled wrecker operators have your roadside and towing needs covered! Best of all, as a family owned and operated business that has served the surrounding Hoosier communities for more than 80 years, we remain dedicated to maintaining economy-based prices on all our services!

Continue below to learn what we can do for you, and even your commercial property!

Zore's Inc. 317-247-8484
Zore’s Inc. 317-247-8484

A Leader in Wrecker and Roadside Service

Did you know that Zore’s Inc. is our city’s leading towing and recovery company?  We have been serving the Indy communities for over 80 years! We tow everything from airplanes to semi-trucks, and of course, cars, buses, vans, and more. Along with our fantastic towing amenities, Zore’s offers many other professional services too! Don’t miss out an all the convenient services Zore’s Inc. can do for you!

Serving Our Community for 8 Decades

We are proud to say that we are more than just a standard towing company; we are an all-around auto service business.  Along with towing, we offer a wide range of specialized community services and amenities for all of Central Indiana, including recovery, roadside assistance, property management, new and used auto parts, metal recycling services, cash for junk cars, auto body repair, auto salvaging, auto auctions, and much more!

You can count on us to respond in a moment’s notice as we operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. We are even open and operational on National holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Why Choose Us?

Here at Zore’s, we are deeply committed to providing the highest standards of excellence in terms of professionalism, service, and support for our clients and surrounding communities. Ensuring your complete satisfaction and safety is our top-priority, which is why we work around the clock to continually improve our skills and resources in order to better serve our surrounding Hoosier communities. And our dedication to the betterment of our communities keeps our drive strong.

Contact Us for a Free Estimate!

Zore's Inc. 317-247-8484
Zore’s Inc. 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance, auto auctions, body shop, and more in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

What NOT To Do When Your Car Engine Overheats

In previous blogs, we have touched on important automotive and road safety advice regarding what to do when your car engine overheats. But in today’s blog, we will be discussing what you should NEVER do when your car engine is overheating.

Continue reading to learn the top 3 things that can really make matters worse for you and your vehicle.

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance Tow Truck 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Roadside Assistance Tow Truck 317-247-8484

Continue Driving

The worst thing you could possibly do when your engine is overheating is to continue driving. As soon as your engine begins to show signs that it is close to overheating, you need to pull over, come to a safe stop, and turn off the ignition completely. If you continue to drive while the engine is overheating, you are putting your safety at risk.

Driving on an overheating engine is not only dangerous to your safety, it can potentially cause an extreme amount of damage to several internal automotive systems, which will end up costing you more money in repairs and replacements. It may even total a car. If this were to happen, you would have to accept the insurance money for it, or sell it to a junk car buyer in Indianapolis.

Use Cold Water

You should never use cold water on a hot engine. There are many things that can go wrong if you were to attempt this. First, you risk damaging the engine block and causing it to crack. Second, you risk burning yourself. You always wait for an engine to cool completely before investigating or resolving any issues.

Check Radiator Fluid Levels

Another terrible mistake to avoid is checking your radiator fluid levels while the engine is still hot. As mentioned above, you must always wait for the engine to cool completely before moving forward. You see, a lot of pressure builds up beneath a radiator cap, which means that boiling hot fluids and steam can shoot out at high speeds, and seriously injure you.

24 Hour Roadside Assistance For You

Indianapolis Auto Body Shop 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Auto Body Shop 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 for 24 hour tow truck roadside assistance in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are a family owned and operated company with more than 75 years in business here in Indiana! We offer a wide range of services for Hoosiers, including roadside assistance, scrap metal recycling, cash for junk cars, towing and recovery, storm damage, traffic clearance, and much more. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Which Type of Trailer Hitch Do I Need to Tow a Small Fishing Boat With a Standard-Sized Car?

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

As summer comes to an abrupt end, people scramble to indulge in all the outdoor activities they can before colder weather is upon us. And one of the most popular outdoor activities there is to enjoy here in Indiana is fishing! Fishing is a common activity because it is inexpensive, family-friendly, and easy for people of all ages to do. But mostly, people go fishing because it’s just fun!

Whether you are aiming for catfish, blue gill, or bass, Hoosiers know you get the best results fishing on a boat. In order to get your fishing boat to your lake or river of choice, you must have the proper towing system for your car. Continue reading to learn the recommended hitch set-up for towing a fishing boat with a small to mid-sized car.

Towing a Trailer

A fishing boat and trailer combined will usually have a gross trailer weight (GTW) under two tons. So to safely (and legally) tow a loaded trailer weighing up to 2,000 pounds, you need 5 primary components. This includes a trailer hitch receiver, a ball mount, a hitch ball, a pin and clip, and a wiring harness. The hitch receiver is the part that attaches to your car’s bumper and accepts the removable ball mount. It comes as an open-faced receiver or fixed tongue model. The ball mount, also called a “drawbar”, inserts into the trailer hitch receiver’s frontward-facing opening, proving a platform for mounting the hitch ball. The pin and clip holds the ball mount inside the trailer hitch receiver, while the wiring harness provides power and synchronizes signals to the trailer’s lights.

Choosing a Hitch

Below is a guide to which hitch-type you will need to tow a small fishing boat with a compact or mid-sized car depending on the length of your towing trailer.

HITCH TYPE = Regular Duty
HITCH CLASS = Class 1
GTW = Up to 2,000 lbs.
TONGUE WEIGHT = 200 lbs.
TRANSMISSION COOLER = Light Duty

For trailers up to 6 feet: Class 1 Fixed Tongue
For trailers up to 14 feet: Class 1 Receiver Hitch

Additional Towing Accessories

Wiring harnesses are required by law, so be sure to never skip this step. And although not necessary to actually tow a trailer, safety chains are also strongly encouraged and should always be used. You might also consider adding on an aftermarket transmission cooler to help your car maintain safe operating temperatures while towing a load. These are especially useful in hot climates. Sometimes, factory transmission coolers are inadequate for certain towing applications.

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery

Towing Indianapolis, IN

Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Inc. at 317-247-8484 when you need fast roadside assistance or tow truck service in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. We have been a family owned and operated business since 1975, and maintain an unparalleled reputation for quality service and value. If you have questions about towing a fishing boat, or need help recovering one from a lake, we are the professionals to call for prompt and friendly assistance. Contact our office directly at 317-247-8484 to learn more about our 24 hour towing and recovery services, today.

Zore’s Inc. is Your One-Stop-Shop for Towing, Auto Parts, and Metal Recycling in Indianapolis!

Towing Company Indianapolis, Indiana

Light – Heavy Duty Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Zore’s Inc. has been a family owned and operated company for more than 75 years! Although based out of Indianapolis, their teams provide a wide range of services as far as Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana! What started as a simple, in-town towing business, quickly grew into the large, highly-professional operation they have today, 75 years later! Zore’s Inc. now has several divisions, including cash for cars, where we pay cash on the spot for junk vehicles and other motorized equipment!

Towing and Recovery

Another primary division is our towing and recovery service. We retain one of the largest and most diverse fleets of wrecker vehicles, from simple flatbed trucks to massive recovery trucks that can lift houses, airplanes, construction beams, and more. For this reason, we are partnered with several esteemed municipal and governmental agencies for quick traffic clearance services, controlled rolls, incident and management response services, emergency storm damage, property management, and more. We also facilitate police and first responder training courses and classes on a weekly basis!

OEM Auto Parts

Don’t forget about our auto parts division! We sell refurnished, OEM auto parts, as well as, new auto parts, for all make and model vehicles, and at the most competitive prices in town. In addition to auto part sales, we also have an on-site auto body shop that provides comprehensive auto repair and service for all domestic and import vehicles. And all services are priced competitively to give you the best deals in town!

Metal Recycling

Zore’s Inc. has established ourselves as one of the leading scrap metal recycling centers in the state. We not only accept and recycle all forms of safe metal, we also pay cash on the spot for scrap metal like appliances, construction equipment, boats, trailers, power tools, electrical wiring, and more. We accept most metals, including aluminum, copper, iron, steel, nickel, chromium, platinum, gold, cobalt, and more.

Call Zore’s for Friendly Towing Service Today

Zore's Inc. Indianapolis Indiana

Zore’s Inc.
Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Now that you know what we have to offer, be sure to call us at 317-247-8484 to inquire about recycling scrap metal, getting paid cash for junk cars, and buying used auto parts. But in the meantime, if you require towing or roadside assistance service in Indianapolis or its surrounding locations, we are the licensed and experienced professionals to call for prompt and friendly help. Dial 317-247-8484 and speak with a courteous company attendant, today.

Basic Towing Terms and Definitions

If you are new to the industry, or have never towed anything with a car, truck, or trailer, then you might come across some industry terms that you haven’t heard of or learned quite yet. It is important to understand the basic terms and towing language, as well as, all the necessary parts and safety rules, before attempting to tow or haul any size load. Review some basic introductory towing terms and their definitions below, and improve your towing knowledge and understanding even more!

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing and Recovery 317-247-8484

Common Towing Terms:

Trailer

A trailer is anything that is built to be towed behind another vehicle. The most common types are designed with wheels and a flat bed, but there are several other versions as well. There are commercial trailers, farming trailers, and recreational trailers, all used for different loads, freights, and purposes. Examples of trailers include RV’s, campers, livestock trailers, auto haulers, gear haulers, flatbeds, open utility trailers, watercraft trailers, car-towing dollies, and tow bars.

Tow Dolly

A towing dolly is a light-duty half-sized flatbed trailer with only two wheels. The front end is without wheels and lifts off the ground so to connect to another vehicle, while the two wheels in the back remain in contact with the ground. These are best used for short distances.

Tow Hitch

A tow hitch is the connecting point between the vehicle doing the towing and the trailer itself. There are several types of hitches available on the market for light, medium, and heavy-duty towing. It is one of the most vital components in the towing assembly. It is important to match the proper size hitch to the vehicle’s towing capacity, and match all that with the trailer’s specifications as well.

Hitch Ball

The hitch ball is part of a flexible joint that permits a towing vehicle and its trailer to make turns and take bumps in the road. Hitch balls are manufactured in many different sizes, from 1 7/8th inches to over 2 5/16th inches.

Coupler

The coupler makes up the other half of the flexible joint that is also the hitch ball. It is mounted above the hitch ball and circulates around it for smooth transport over dips, bends, and bumps in the road.

Hitch Ball Mount

Hitch mounts are also referred to as draw bars or stingers, and connect to the hitch using hitch clips and pins.

Hitch Pin/Clip

Metal devices that are used to secure connections between hitch mounts and hitches.

Tow Bar

Also called a sway bar, this V-shaped towing accessory is used to prevent trailers and other loads from swaying back and forth on the road during a tow. It keeps the trailer in a straight line behind the tow vehicle. They are used in conjunction with a tow coupler for dinghy towing or flat towing another car or SUV.

Safety Chains

These are an important towing accessory because they make sure nothing will come apart on the road. In the case that a towing component defects or comes loose, the safety chains ensure that the trailer or vehicle doesn’t disconnect from the tow vehicle and harm other drivers on the road. Never tow anything without them!

Indianapolis Towing

Towing and Recovery Indianapolis Indiana

Towing and Recovery Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s at 317-247-8484 for prompt and professional towing services in Indianapolis and its surrounding counties. We have been in the towing and recovery industry for more than 75 years! Our tow trucks are state-of-the-art and out wrecker operators are highly trained, licensed, and courteous to all customers. Call 317-248-8484 when you need fast and friendly Indianapolis towing services or roadside assistance.

Wrecker Companies Offer More than Just Towing Services!

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Indianapolis Towing 317-247-8484

Wrecker companies are more than just a towing service. They offer a wide variety of roadway, transportation, and recovery assistance. Sure they are equipped and eager to provide tows for illegally parked vehicles, broken down cars, abandoned vehicles, and more; but they are also equipped and trained to provide much more than that! Continue reading to learn what a wrecker company is truly capable of and the standard services they offer their local communities.

Wrecker Services

When it comes to wrecker services, towing is not the limit. Most well-established and veteran wrecker companies retain an extensive fleet of trucks, rigs, trailers, wreckers, and more that allow them to provide comprehensive towing and recovery services for anyone and everything in town. This means impounding, airplane towing, accident and traffic clearing, disaster emergency response, general roadside assistance, and much more. Here is a breakdown of the principle categories for towing and recovery, and the additional services offered by most wrecker companies near you:

Roadside Assistance

Wrecker companies generally offer roadside assistance options for individuals who experience minor vehicular issues or breakdowns on the road. If someone gets a flat tire, a wrecker service will provide tire changes and replacements. If a battery goes dead, a roadside assistance technician for a wrecker company will drive to them and provide a jump-start. If someone is locked out of their vehicle, a wrecker service can get them back in! With just one simple phone call, a short wait, and a small fee, you can have a professional wrecker company provide roadside assistance services any time, 24 hours a day.

Light-Duty Tows

Light-duty towing includes regular vehicle towing and recovery. Cars, trucks, vans, small to mid-sized vehicles, motorcycles, jet skis, and more are all included in this category. If a car accident happens, a professional wrecker service is called to promptly remove the damaged vehicles and clear the roads of traffic congestion as soon as possible. Illegally parked vehicles and property management towing also fall into this category of light duty tows. These services are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week; like most towing services.

Medium-Duty and Heavy-Duty Tows

Medium and heavy-duty tows include larger-scale recovery and towing missions. Trucks, semi’s, rigs, trailers, boats, airplanes, mobile homes, construction materials, piping, and more are included in this category of towing. Wrecker companies extensively train their technicians to be able to clearly and efficiently react and handle sudden recovery emergencies, disasters, and situations. They are fully prepared to recover large equipment or vehicles on dangerous terrain or hazardous conditions. Severe storm damages, fallen trees and power lines, erupting dams, and more are all circumstances when a professional wrecker company is needed and called on.

Special Services

Wrecker companies often work together with their local municipality in road and traffic management. They also buy and sell junk cars and trucks, and offer auto auctions open to the surrounding communities. On top of auto auctions, junk car buying, light towing, medium towing, and heavy-duty towing, wrecker services also train and provide disaster response as mentioned before. Mostly wrecker companies that have been around the longest are the ones capable of offering these kinds of services because they have the local community trust, the proper and specialized equipment, licensing, and training.

Zore’s Indy

Wrecker Services Indianapolis Indiana

Wrecker Services Indianapolis Indiana 317-247-8484

Call Zore’s Indy at 317-247-8484 for more information about our Indianapolis wrecker services, towing, and recovery. Our company has been serving the Hoosier communities for more than 80 years, and continues to hold a first-class reputation in towing and recovering services among the local communities, and throughout the state. We offer light towing, heavy duty towing, roadside assistance, auto body repairs, auto auctions, and much more!